Natural Jungle Aquascape w/ Emergent Plants (Riparium Build)

A few weeks back I went to Aquashella, Chicago. I took my apprentice with me and there, we set up an incredible riparium style aquascape. I was given the opportunity to do a setup for the event and I gladly accepted. I knew I had to do something that showcases a different side of the aquarium hobby. What do you think?
Also, the fish have made it safely back to my place and are currently going through quarantine. I get them into their respective tanks as soon as possible.
Terrestrial Plants List
Alternanthera dentata
Calathea rufibarba
Callisia repens 'Pink Panther'
Colocasia sp.
Ficus pumila
Ficus pumila 'Quecifolia'
Monstera adansonii
Nephrolepis exaltata
Philodendron 'Little Hope'
Pilea cadierei
Aquatic Plants List
Bacopa caroliniana
Cryptocoryne wendtii
Microsorum pteropus
Sagittaria subulata
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#riparium #aquascape #serpadesign

[@SmokeumPeacepipe]

soo...that school of tetras is going to be called the serpae squad right?

[@shiyadh7355]

Right?? I will love to whelcome them

[@rat_dragon]

Mm 😡 I made that up four years ago and never got as many likes :(

[@lopezfam7317]

God bless you and God bless anyone reading this! Hope you have an awesome day! Seek him while you can! Jesus is the way and the only way and he is returning soon! Whenever you think you aren't loved... Remember the ultimate sacrifice was for love! ENDING YOUR LIFE IS NEVER THE ANSWER! For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 KJV The wages of sin is death (hell) but Jesus paid our debt on the cross, for our salvation! We must turn to God and away from our sinful ways, Confess Jesus is Lord and believe with our hearts that he was risen from the dead by God, and we must be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and The Holy Spirit and live by His word and Commandments! Trust that God will help with the rest! Seek God today before it's too late! Today could be your last day on earth! Have a blessed day! -❤️❤️❗️❗️

[@lopezfam7317]

Dios te bendiga y Dios bendiga a Todos los que estan leyendo esto! Deseo que tengan un hermoso dia! Buscad a Dios mientras pueda ser hallado! Jesus es el camino y el unico camino y regresa pronto! Recuerda cuando te sientas que no eres amado... el mayor sacrificio se hizo por amor! EL SUICIDIO NUNCA ES LA RESPUESTA! Porque de tal manera amó Dios al mundo, que ha dado a su Hijo unigénito, para que todo aquel que en él cree, no se pierda, mas tenga vida eterna. S. Juan 3:16 RVR1960 La paga del pecado es muerte (infierno) pero Cristo pagó nuestra deuda en la cruz para nuestra salvacion! Debemos volvernos a Dios y apartarnos de nuestros caminos pecaminosos, confesar que Jesús es el Señor y creer con nuestro corazón que fue resucitado de entre los muertos por Dios, y debemos de ser bautizados en el nombre del Padre, del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo y vivir por Su palabra y mandamientos! Confia que Dios ayudara con el resto! Busca a Dios, antes de que sea muy tarde! Hoy podria ser tu ultimo dia en la tierra! Que tengas un hermoso dia! ❤️❤️❗️❗️

[@imariot6493]

@@lopezfam7317 Very on topic! Perhaps you should comment this on videos about Jesus and all that?

[@thedapperdolphin1590]

Dude just casually mentions he has an apprentice.

[@renge3084]

Yeah what

[@TheEvslarg]

Always two they are. No more. No less.

[@rat_dragon]

Right!?

[@lopezfam7317]

God bless you and God bless anyone reading this! Hope you have an awesome day! Seek him while you can! Jesus is the way and the only way and he is returning soon! Whenever you think you aren't loved... Remember the ultimate sacrifice was for love! ENDING YOUR LIFE IS NEVER THE ANSWER! For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 KJV The wages of sin is death (hell) but Jesus paid our debt on the cross, for our salvation! We must turn to God and away from our sinful ways, Confess Jesus is Lord and believe with our hearts that he was risen from the dead by God, and we must be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and The Holy Spirit and live by His word and Commandments! Trust that God will help with the rest! Seek God today before it's too late! Today could be your last day on earth! Have a blessed day! -❗️❗️❗️❤️❤️

[@lopezfam7317]

Dios te bendiga y Dios bendiga a Todos los que estan leyendo esto! Deseo que tengan un hermoso dia! Buscad a Dios mientras pueda ser hallado! Jesus es el camino y el unico camino y regresa pronto! Recuerda cuando te sientas que no eres amado... el mayor sacrificio se hizo por amor! EL SUICIDIO NUNCA ES LA RESPUESTA! Porque de tal manera amó Dios al mundo, que ha dado a su Hijo unigénito, para que todo aquel que en él cree, no se pierda, mas tenga vida eterna. S. Juan 3:16 RVR1960 La paga del pecado es muerte (infierno) pero Cristo pagó nuestra deuda en la cruz para nuestra salvacion! Debemos volvernos a Dios y apartarnos de nuestros caminos pecaminosos, confesar que Jesús es el Señor y creer con nuestro corazón que fue resucitado de entre los muertos por Dios, y debemos de ser bautizados en el nombre del Padre, del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo y vivir por Su palabra y mandamientos! Confia que Dios ayudara con el resto! Busca a Dios, antes de que sea muy tarde! Hoy podria ser tu ultimo dia en la tierra! Que tengas un hermoso dia! ❤️❤️❤️❗️

[@TheNatureGuy]

I can only imagine how impactful this must have been to see in person. It's cool you're able to do this in more public places now. Next thing you know, you'll be called in to scape a zoo's aquarium.

[@SerpaDesign]

Who knows! I just do my thing 🤷

[@toddbigeasy]

I wish I could go sometime!

[@toddbigeasy]

Yea, the st.louis zoo has a really nice aqua setup building..

[@reubendaly827]

@@SerpaDesign foreshadowing?

[@ZombieMan1997]

@@SerpaDesign If I had the money I'd pay you to do mine! 🥰😍

[@piteusx8440]

Nothing like Tanner being calm and happy on a Saturday. Whoa, Tanner has an apprentice. :)

[@toddbigeasy]

It's like meditation or a trance

[@lopezfam7317]

God bless you and God bless anyone reading this! Hope you have an awesome day! Seek him while you can! Jesus is the way and the only way and he is returning soon! Whenever you think you aren't loved... Remember the ultimate sacrifice was for love! ENDING YOUR LIFE IS NEVER THE ANSWER! For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 KJV The wages of sin is death (hell) but Jesus paid our debt on the cross, for our salvation! We must turn to God and away from our sinful ways, Confess Jesus is Lord and believe with our hearts that he was risen from the dead by God, and we must be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and The Holy Spirit and live by His word and Commandments! Trust that God will help with the rest! Seek God today before it's too late! Today could be your last day on earth! Have a blessed day! ❤️❤️❤️❗️❗️

[@lopezfam7317]

Dios te bendiga y Dios bendiga a Todos los que estan leyendo esto! Deseo que tengan un hermoso dia! Buscad a Dios mientras pueda ser hallado! Jesus es el camino y el unico camino y regresa pronto! Recuerda cuando te sientas que no eres amado... el mayor sacrificio se hizo por amor! EL SUICIDIO NUNCA ES LA RESPUESTA! Porque de tal manera amó Dios al mundo, que ha dado a su Hijo unigénito, para que todo aquel que en él cree, no se pierda, mas tenga vida eterna. S. Juan 3:16 RVR1960 La paga del pecado es muerte (infierno) pero Cristo pagó nuestra deuda en la cruz para nuestra salvacion! Debemos volvernos a Dios y apartarnos de nuestros caminos pecaminosos, confesar que Jesús es el Señor y creer con nuestro corazón que fue resucitado de entre los muertos por Dios, y debemos de ser bautizados en el nombre del Padre, del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo y vivir por Su palabra y mandamientos! Confia que Dios ayudara con el resto! Busca a Dios, antes de que sea muy tarde! Hoy podria ser tu ultimo dia en la tierra! Que tengas un hermoso dia! ❗️❗️❤️❤️

[@harveytaylor5910]

You should try make a mangrove style tank! That would be amazing to see, and hopefully be my inspiration for when I can make my own tank!

[@SerpaDesign]

I got the opportunity to go to Aquashella a few weeks back and set up an enclosure. I knew that I had to make something like this riparium to showcase a completely different side of the hobby. The inside of the tank itself is dark and dramatic, while the plants and hardscape emerge from the top. What do you think of this design?

[@juubilo1509]

Very cool. I like when you do a mix of terrestrial and aquatic environments, I for sure want to do that in the future.

[@ellam1841]

I love how densely planted it is! Like a bouquet of greenery 🍃 🍂

[@sarajseiberthesavannahdarter]

I love it! I watched the live when you were building it so I was waiting on this video to see the end result. As always you build a living work of art and inspire so many of us!

[@cineroustit]

I think its great and unique...something like this is not usually done...Amazing job Tanner!

[@andytchir8601]

Do the plants above water serve a similar function to plants in water by pulling nutrients through the filter cloth?

[@valiaudet3415]

Tanner, that's gorgeous. I hope you really enjoyed your time at the event. Your artistic talent is beyond amazing.

[@jastark22181]

That tank looked amazing having the plants and wood on top. I've been wanting to do a build like this. I have pothos and spider plants growing on top of my tanks just to see how they do. 3 out of the 4 spider plants died but the pothos is doing great

[@SerpaDesign]

Spider plants sometimes have a hard time acclimating from what I've seen. Once they get going though, they go wild!

[@hoperules8874]

I knew someone who let their one pothos grow--literally all over their house! They just put little hooks everywhere for it to climb on! It looked amazing!

[@Christodophilus]

Start your spider plants from pups. I've actually propagated spider-plant pups, in a saucer of water. The roots were really healthy and the leafs never suffered. You could probably use them as a floating plant, as long as they're started from a pup, cut from the mother plant's stems.

[@jastark22181]

@@hoperules8874 that's a great idea! I've been wondering how to run it because it's almost to the floor. I think im gonna try that.

[@jastark22181]

@@Christodophilus My friend's Mom lives across the street from me and she already had these pups in dirt when she gave them to me. I got them out of the pots and just had them sitting between the lid and tank. I think they might've slid down a little too far into the water which killed them. That was my guess.

[@TheAgentTexas]

To me, the hardest part of planning a tank is knowing what plants to get. Clearly Tanner knows what he is doing. That was a beautiful setup.

[@cocothenutthenut5401]

Wow! I love your work. I think I might take my tank above the rim next time I set it up. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@SerpaDesign]

Go for it! It makes tank maintenance easier long-term as well.

[@jastark22181]

Who's this apprentice of yours? And does he realize how lucky he is?! 😁😁

[@xfatalxflawx]

It's a dream to meet Tanner, imagine working with him!!

[@jaystube7713]

That piece of driftwood is sweet!!!! Love the set up.

[@eleventyfour227]

The fact he uses Serpae Tetras makes me laugh.

[@CreateArc]

I was looking for the name of the tetras here, thx

[@dirtywhitellama]

Same!!

[@engr.kuyacas]

why? what's with the tetras?

[@dirtywhitellama]

@@engr.kuyacas Tanner Serpa...Serpa(e) Tetras....

[@engr.kuyacas]

@@dirtywhitellama oooohhh okay 😅

[@Mary-qs8hr]

I’m a fish store employee from lombard and I’m so sad that sepra design came to Chicago the week I decided to leave for a wedding. I’m in tears.

[@SerpaDesign]

😭😭😭

[@valeriekopiske9968]

I didn't realize this tank was designed by you until now. When I was at aquashella, I remember looking at this tank and admiring it and wishing I had something like that at home. It was beautiful!

[@aurochf1]

Soo cool! I'd love to see a cave themed aquascape with blind tetras. Or even better: an aquaterrarium with a planted terrestrial top layer and an aquatic cave underneath!

[@joakimhjelm-svennesen8984]

Great looking tank. I love the trend of open top fish tanks, where plants and other hardscape live above the water line. It creates a more dramatic and realistic look of how the fishes natural habitats look like. Like you carved out a piece of nature and placed it in a box for viewing pleasure

[@NYCShaolin718]

This is life changing for me and a fish keeping hobbyist, I don’t create fish tanks according to my likes I research the species and environment they live in before I buy n do my absolute eat to recreate the environment from water parameters to plants in turn it becomes a ecosystem itself and I’ve witnessed wonders happen

[@emmacavalier]

I could stare at it for hours. Its very pleasing to the eye and is a beautiful imitation of nature. Well done!!

[@jmarshal]

Loved that Tanner used SERPAE tetras and TAN coloured sand and gravel 🤣🤣 Probably unintentional but I thought it was cute!

[@SerpaDesign]

Definitely chose Serpaes for my namesake LOL

[@miridove]

I've been planning a tank like this for ages, and I've actually already got several of the plants on your terrestrial plants list! This feels like a sign that I'm on the right track 🥰. Obviously my tank won't look nearly as good as yours, but I'm stoked to know that if I do it right, my plans (and plants) will work. I love this tank design, thank you for sharing as always

[@tracybowling97]

I would love to see a show like this one. I can't get enough of the endless creativity that inspires more and more ideas for projects like these. There is true art in these designs.

[@seheadhunter50]

I love seeing different kinds of Plecos. They make you feel like your in the Amazon.

[@marthanewsome6375]

Nice to see people promoting this kind of setup. Been doing these setups for years and there are so many benefits than having a standard planted tank. Terrestrial plants are nitrate eating machines and the benefits of them are no nitrates pretty much all the time, less water changes and a more natural environment for your aquatic animals. Well done!

[@ericplunder2744]

I like the idea of going above the rim. That one is probably a little too dark for me, but I'd definitely like one where there is a part of the tank shaded and the rest lit. I think sometimes aquascapes are far too bright.

[@sparshshetty5001]

Every time I watch your videos I feel inspired to build a tererium

[@patriciawhite1206]

This has really blended by fish and houseplant obsession..I'm struggling a little with totally submerged plants but have had great success with water culture plants so I really excited to build my 1st one ...

[@conservativecalvinist3308]

I have an pretty cool (at least I think so) idea for an aquarium: a post-apocalyptic aquarium that nature has reclaimed. Basically, It would have things like cans or bottle caps or maybe a wrench (obviously non-toxic metals, and one’s that don’t rust). Idk if any metal would affect the fish so it might not be a good idea, but I think it would be awesome.

[@thespiritualfishlad4153]

looks like im not the only one who's thought of the trash tope

[@vijeshkumar692]

And structures like submerged buildings

[@conservativecalvinist3308]

@@vijeshkumar692 yeah. Glass bottles and stuff too. Also, i forgot to mention that of course there would be plants “reclaiming” the environment. Or maybe it could even be one of those dystopian cities with the broken mini skyscrapers with the plants all over and its flooded so that the fish look huge.

[@vijeshkumar692]

@@conservativecalvinist3308 yesss plants reclaiming and growing through cracks of structures is cool and the mini dystopia city is an awesome idea

[@conservativecalvinist3308]

@@vijeshkumar692 thanks, I think so too.

[@Jenoveryonder]

I like the light shining through the middle.

[@Beachbum3579]

Beautiful tank and wonderful inspiration! Thanks for sharing ❤️

[@deniselubken7132]

Your talents never cease to amaze me Tanner! Just beautiful

[@jnshane79]

The dark aspect to this build is very intriguing. So realistically comparable to commonly occurring structure in river systems. Truly feels like a cutaway right out of nature. Another fantastic project.

[@ronninyee9662]

I'm so glad you added leopard frog plecos! I've always liked plecos the most, and I also collect them as a hobby.

[@kanedadry7642]

It’s all the inspiration that I needed to finish the tank I am currently doing

[@shawnszirbik4717]

With every video of yours I watch I’m falling more and more in love with above the rim tanks

[@DolbecAqua]

There's nothing better than seeing a well scaped tank in person to spark the mind and inspire creativity

[@toddbigeasy]

I freaking love that setup, I have a custom 70 reef I really want to convert to something like this, thanks for the inspiration and more knowledge!!

[@loriw2661]

Love this design! I’ve never seen a tank that has this “above the rim” design. I love it and it’s very natural looking. Well done!

[@olyvia1380]

MD fish tanks has a few like this and his look fantastic as well!

[@zanetwiesman9079]

I love what you did here and this kind of tank is what I have envisioned to have one day. I love the plants, not only inside the tank but also sitting on the wood, 'above the waterline. Love, love it. I will hang onto my dream and maybe one day I will get it done. Thanks for sharing.

[@SerpaDesign]

Hopefully one day you'll turn dream into reality!

[@pkoppart]

Great stuff again! Legendary!

[@jwaquatics8871]

Amazing like always!!👍👍🔥♥️

[@mrbeastninja31]

Love the riparium builds!

[@irfankusai1433]

woww that is a whole new level of depth in this hobby

[@HOLY_FRIJOLES]

I’ve never heard of that Pleco but I really love it.

[@TheChefmike66]

This was very nice. I am inspired. Thanks!

[@juubilo1509]

Nice work. Have you ever considered doing a dual sided setup? I have a 40 gallon long with a glass divider in the middle, I bet you could do a really cool setup with two contrasting themes and scapes, yin and yang aquariums haha

[@TankItEasyTV]

Hey Tanner, Sweet video! Tanks for the shout out and hope to see you in Chicago again soon 👍

[@supernatureboy13]

It’s amazing!!

[@brentburnett7778]

Just simply beautiful

[@Emg2463]

another beautiful tank....the lighting was a nice addition !

[@Therealmattchong]

This is awesome man. Incredibly inspiring!

[@markwilson4686]

Looks awesome

[@Michael-4]

Great video, thank you.

[@JoseSanchez-qi8fu]

It was breathtaking. Camera didn’t give it justice.

[@DriveWRX]

Beautiful! Tearing down a tank soon and the new setup will "above the rim" for sure!

[@shanemccardell9438]

How this man don't have more subs is beyond me. This man has inspired so many of my builds and have taught me so so much. Tanner is not one of the best but he is the best at what he does. Keep inspiring man and don't loose that passion that i see you have for the hobby. Thank you for inspiring me and everyone else.

[@TriniFishHobbyist]

Very interesting concept, taking the hobby above the rim. Great how you continue to inspire and educate. Thanks for sharing

[@mirtagordillo3486]

It's gorgeous Tanner I love the hard scapes you used you see nature at her fullest wish I could have gone to see all and sit at your booth and admire your masterpiece.

[@WAD120]

Like all your builds…amazing. Great job. 🇹🇹

[@Casmael01]

Amazing thanks xx

[@Jeffthedude15]

Great job!

[@Sannive]

Super cool tank! And I just love that hidden little light in the wood.

[@kman237]

Absolutely amazing. I would love to have a tank like that

[@finnwiggles28]

So inspiring! Love 'taking it above the Rim'. Even on my 'Rimless' tanks ;)

[@GodisTruth914]

Gorgeous,!!!

[@tangiecalloway6572]

Its so beautiful

[@juliahenriques1644]

breathtaking!!!

[@rizkyfadhila3875]

My favorite tank you have ever done!! Good job there!

[@HDWorkers1]

USEFUL VIDEO, THANK YOU

[@Dhshg736]

This is a really cool build

[@rilanajansen2652]

I find it to dárk even with the lights in it. But i love youer Idea of the plants out top.😉

[@ARTTSvg]

4:08 XD Also grats on having an apprentice!!

[@trak957]

I love this tanner fabulous job :)

[@dumoulin11]

Love it!

[@sahlahanifa8402]

gorgeous tank as always. been a fan of your tanks since i was 15!

[@roshansanjeewa8655]

thank you ....... learned a lot

[@Tortoiseneckx100]

This is an awesome set up. It looked so nice and it seemed relatively simple compared to the other set ups you do but the esthetics were all there! It's exciting to see an elaborate scape that even the average person could do with proper tools of course! Can't wait to see where the fish go in the animal room!

[@laughinglighting4343]

Awesome video!

[@sarahk4047]

Brilliant 👏🏼 you are the best ❤️🌿🐸🐚🐳🐡🐢

[@abigaillee5499]

wow thx this will give me inspiration thx for the vid

[@rat_dragon]

That must've been a cool experience! Congrats ;)

[@leblancisnice]

Amazing work, man!

[@lucyssilverlining5396]

Super cool

[@TheZachy1337]

That pleco is beautiful

[@choconsingapore7360]

..way out crazy Super.....!!!

[@Cherb123456]

Wow! Cool!

[@spookychan7189]

AGH! I LOVE THE ASTHETIC! It feels natural and clean - w -

[@shawn_baker]

Turned out great Tanner!

[@nanthakumar747]

Man the stock and the hardscape it's vera level

[@hoperules8874]

Really liked the after-hours shots!

[@NobodyBuiltThat]

I really enjoyed seeing this tank and tanking to you about mant things and showing you my party trick lol

[@airodarkwind8719]

Apprentice?! I was out for months due my Neurological and Psychological Disorders, and I clearly missed so much. Gosh! Haha.

[@xfatalxflawx]

Another incredible build. I'd love to make it out to Chicago and check out Aquashella and Greg's place. Thanks again for the inspiration!!

[@DreamHound]

Well done on the tank and the cinematography was top tier!

[@phoenixthehobbyist6071]

I miss when you always did terrariums. I want to see some terrarium projects.

[@nimalisamankula2787]

Awesome work, tanner

[@realstifhy]

You have some of the most beautiful camera quality I have ever seen

[@anandnandilath4898]

Amazing my dream aquarium

[@user-qn4dl9nq6f]

Fantastic!!! Wonder!!! Thank you.for show. It's better than people's bla=bla )))

[@PanRybka22]

Good video 👍